1. buy a collapsable stroller to take instead of the wheelchair (because the wheelchair costs $10,000 and can't be replaced for another 4.5 years if it gets damaged)
2. figure out how to get to the airport if you don't want to take a car seat with you to Europe (that has different car seat regulations anyway) and if you don't want to park your car at LAX for 3 weeks (which is not extremely safe, only extremely expensive)
3. figure out how to get home from the airport when you return from Hungary
4. get a transformer/voltage converter for operating the feeding pump in Europe's 220 voltage system without setting off any fireworks
5. get some gravity feeding bags in case something unexpected happens and the feeding pump can't be re-charged/used
6. buy a portable, battery-operated nebulizer
7. buy a portable manually-operated suction machine and then refrain from using expletives when you find out that it's a tad too large for your child's nasal cavities, dang it
8. find out your options for getting a medical grade electric suction machine in Hungary, in case the mucus monster finds you there (God have mercy)
9. arrange the purchase of 3 weeks worth tube feeding formula sold in Hungary (that the pharmacy sells without a doctor's prescription) so you don't have to fill up your suitcases with formula and you can also take some clothes with you
10. buy clothes for child in Southern California that is warm enough for Hungary's October weather, or more challengingly, warm enough for your Hungarian mother's standards
11. get prescription for every medication and supplement your child is taking, to prove to airport security that you are not a drug dealer
12. get copy of hospital discharge paper that shows child's diagnosis and currently taken medications and supplements
13. find out your insurance's policy for foreign travel
14. get together a list of Izzy's specialists with their phone numbers and e-mail addresses
15. get an extra copy of Izzy's VNS card
16. get disability placard
17. arrange ride from Budapest airport, with car seat
18. figure out how to meet everybody you want to meet in Hungary, which will have to involve group meetings and sneaking out of the house when the parents are not watching
19. cancel weekly fruit/vegetable delivery from the farm
20. let all your child's therapists, clinics and agencies know that she will be out of the country for 3 weeks
21. get rid of all perishable food
22. pack
23. call airline to double check that everything is okay
24. think hard about what you are forgetting
25. take Izzy to neurologist to crank up the VNS since she is having more and more seizures again
Oh wait, does she need a passport?
16 comments:
Jesus, you are brave! we've never left the country with Robert except for day trips to Canada. Even then, we didn't bring proper documentation and got screamed at by U.S. Border guards. Fun times.
I will gladly pick you up from the airport and bring you home. Just tell me when and where. I think I'd be a nervous wreck sending you off, though. :)
did you not get the passport in the mail yet?
OMG woman...what are you made of? I cannot imagine, but I'm with you all the way.
The adventure has already started. I'm not so sure about how you're going to be able to pack anything for you and Phil though, clothes-wise....
This is exactly why we never go anywhere! You are one brave soul.
For a stroller, you might consider the Joovy Scooter. It's under $100 if bought on eBay, and it's large enough for Izzy. My 5 1/2 year old and almost 3 year old can sit side by side in it (not comfortably, but they fit!)
For warmer clothes, try shopping online!
I bet Izzy's grandmother would happily take on procurement duties for chore #10.
get off of your computer?:-)
having a clean shirt in your carry-on is a must for each one of you!
can't wait to see you!
Segithetek valamiben? pl. utánanézzek tápszernek? vagy ilyesmi? szerintem meleg ruhákat ne vegyél ha még nem vettél ... nekünk is van, tudunk kölcsönadni. ja igen, az orrszivó-porszivó tényleg jó! és olcsóóóóóóóóó!!!!! de van komolyabb is.
szia!
kadarszandra
Uh-oh... and I thought I had a lot to think of when we travel!! :-)
Wishing you good nerves and a wonderful trip!
You forgot: but a lottery ticket and hope to hit the big one very soon...safe trip wishes!
You are really BRAVE!!!Wishing you a safe trip!!God be with you!!!
Here's an idea for the traveling car seat/stroller dilemma.
http://www.amazon.com/Lilly-Gold-Stroll-Stroller-Combination/dp/B000F0G0EK/?tag=babble-20
I would just take the airport shuttle bus when you get here, then you don't have to worry about car seats and it is not expensive.... and plenty of room for you all.
Be careful about any meds you HAVE to bring onboard, make sure you have LOTS of documentation and LOTS of time at airports, one time we got stopped in London because the measurements were different than the US (less) and we had to give them the whole bottle... not just dump some out. ANNOYING.....
As for care, I would gladly put you in touch with our Doctor here at Roszakert, DR. Gudor Orsi... she is AMAZING, studied at NYU, and is married to an American, so she knows the quirky side of both cultures and she SAVED Eli's life here when he got the blood clot. I trust her with my kids lives. She is amazing.... so let me know if you would like to talk to her.
Hope we can see you, even in a group situation!!!
hugs and love, praying for your trip
Wow, am in awe, and have a great trip! Good luck!
I'm having a hard time keeping up with blogs, so first things first, so glad you are all home safe and sound!!
Now you're off on adventures, crazy!! Hope you and Phil have everything sorted out okay, and hoping all goes according to plan (how are you going to pack all this stuff?!).
I'm going to keep this list if I ever get the chance to travel overseas - it's fantastic! How exciting ... I'd love to do something like that. Just go and enjoy. It will be great. You'll be exhausted when you get back though!
Marcelle.
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